Seats reserved for SCs & STs not filled up in JNU: Par panel

Observing that several seats reserved for SCs and STs in JNU have not been filled, a Parliamentary panel has criticised the casual attitude of the varsity's administration.

The panel also suggested that a separate law should be enacted against discrimination of SC/ST in colleges and universities in case of gender discrimination and ragging. In its report on Implementation of reservation policy in JNU, the committee on Welfare of SCs and STs, observed that despite there being provisions of reservation at the Assistant Professor level, there are still 14 SC and 9 ST vacancies unfilled.

The panel said that it was also informed that there are still 19 SC and ST posts lying vacant at the level of Professor and 40 SC and 22 ST posts at the level of Associate Professor. The panel emphasised that SC/ST vacancy among faculty should be filled at the earliest and said it was dismayed at the "litany of excuses" offered by JNU that either the candidates did not apply or did not have the essential qualifications.

The committee in its report also suggested a provision that there should be a provision to give representation to reserved category students and teachers on all bodies of Universities and Colleges to enable them to participate in policy and governance matters.